Instead of just reading this article, and giving consideration to its contents, do we have to attack it’s validity and appropriateness? Slow to listen, quick to speak, quick to anger.

What’s fatiguing about all of this is that we can’t even talk anymore. Everyone seems to be in attack mode. People are angry. In “the land of the free,” where we have our rights, and an unmatched level of economic prosperity, we’re not at peace. Not even close.

What makes this hard for me during this Lenten season is … well, I’d like to make a difference. The main difference I would like to make is the sharing of the truths of Gospel: That God created a wonderful world — but then man messed it up — but that God has reached back to us in Christ to reestablish our friendship with God. God has not only promised eternal life, but a blessed life now if we choose to follow His precepts. I think this is great news!

But, I get tired of sharing it. Really tired. Why?

I believe God has spoken about life as we know it, and made His word clear about many of today’s issues. I believe these truths are compiled in the Bible. I believe that there is blessing in believing and following God’s ideas. I also believe there is great danger in ignoring God, and living against His ways. When I share this, it’s because I care about people, and want them to have what I’m convinced is the best possible life — reconciled to and blessed by God, forever.

But, in our climate of dialogue now days, this message, and its messengers, have been radically reinterpreted. Now, I’m a hater. I’m a bigot. I’m intolerant. I’m oppressive. I’m a prude. I’m against liberty and freedom. I’m unenlightened. I’m a lemming.

Honestly, there are days I feel like saying, “Whatever. I’m good. I was told about the ark, and I’ve got salvation secured. I have a life that is (often, not always) blessed as I seek to live according to the scriptures. And I have a community of like-minded people with whom to enjoy this Christocentric life. You don’t want me to share the gospel? FINE. I won’t. Go ahead with your anti-God life. Roll the dice, and we’ll see what happens.”

I think that’s where a lot of believers are today. It just hurts too much to care. So we recoil, cocoon, and enjoy our like-minded fellowships. But there’s a gnawing guilt we all share that there’s a hole in this kind of gospel living.

It’s inescapable. We’re to proclaim this Gospel as we offer practical love and service to the angry, ungrateful world around us. And we’re to pick up our cross daily and follow Jesus – because He knows we’ll get crucified by this world, even as we’re simply trying to help it.